Last night in Villanueva they were celebrating the Castilla La Mancha Day and a folk choral society and dance group had been invited to perform in the town square. They set up an enormous stage during the day, complete with lighting. The group consisted of over 35 performers. When they started there were only about 30 people watching including us. What a shame!
We left at 07:30 this morning, slightly later than usual, after our customary Cafe con Tostadas!The temperature was already in the 20's by then and it climbed all through the morning. The terrain has definitely changed the soft rolling hills of yesterday now turning into steep inclines and descents.
Vineyards still abound but less so with greater abundance of olive groves and fields of wheat. Three hours in we stopped to rest by the gates to a farm. When we were about to leave the farmer turned up. He was a really nice man and we had a good chat. The paths today were much smoother and softer underfoot thanks to the overnight rain.
We went past an enormous gravel pit, completely idle due to today being Sunday. At 13:00 we arrived in Almonacid. It is a small town of 901 people with the most enormous church. We had our "credencial" stamped by the local priest and then made some enquiries about somewhere to spend the night. We were directed first to the local "Alcalde" (the Mayor) and then to one of his aides, who took us to the local swimming pool complex where we were shown into some changing rooms. There were no mats on the floor, the showers and toilets were indescribably dirty and when we saw the place was crawling with cockroaches we decided it was time to move on.
A Spaniard and a Pole who have been following our footsteps caught up with us today. They decided to carry on to see if a local "Ermita" could put them up. They phoned to confirm this was not possible. To carry on to Toledo today would mean another 30Kms on top of the 22 we have already done. Too much for us! We have decided therefore to take a bus to Toledo and then see if there is a combination that will bring us back here tomorrow to continue our journey. The only bus leaving today is at 7.20 pm so we are marking time in a bar until its time to go! They'll probably have to carry me to the bus!
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